Members of Makabayan and Migrante International held a candle-lighting ceremony to commemorate the death anniversary of Filipino domestic helper Flor Contemplacion at San Pablo Memorial Cemetery in San Pablo City on March 17, 2025.

The group marked the 32nd anniversary of Contemplacion’s execution after she was convicted of murdering a fellow Filipina maid and the three-year-old boy she was babysitting.

The execution of Flor Contemplacion brought to light the horrors of abuse that foreign workers endure in other countries. It underscored issues concerning the protection of OFWs, their working conditions, mental health challenges, and the dangers they face abroad.

According to Josie Pingkihan, deputy secretary general of Migrante International, there is still a lack of substantial progress in the country’s labor export program, citing the ongoing abuses and exploitation experienced by Overseas Filipino Workers over the years.

“Tuloy-tuloy din po ang abuses at exploitation sa ibang bansa. Yung human trafficking, isang systematized trafficking through the government.”

(Filipino OFWs are still subjected to abuse and exploitation. Human trafficking has become a systematized operation tolerated by the government.)

She also noted that government policies have only made it easier for illegal recruiters to scam more Filipinos.

Despite not having suffered the same severe fate as other Overseas Filipino Workers in the Middle East, Aubrey Macaraeg, the daughter of a long-time OFW, expressed concern for her mother’s safety.

Growing up with relatives, she has little to no meaningful memories with her mother.

“Lumaki ako sa Tita, Tito, Lolo, at Lola ko. Wala akong maayos na memories tungkol sa kanya. Ngayon, turning 25 na ako. Sa tingin ko naman, pare-parehas kaming mga anak ng OFWs na matagal nang hindi nakita ang mga magulang o hindi nakasama. Gusto ko talagang makasama namin ang aming mga magulang.”

(I grew up with my aunts, uncles, and grandparents. I have almost no proper memories of my mother. Now I’m turning 25. I think many of us children of OFWs share the same experience of not having seen or lived with our parents for a long time. I just wish to spend time with our parents.)

She also pointed out the incompetence and lack of government policies, which leave OFWs with no choice but to seek work abroad.

“Dahil sa hindi competent yung mga nakaluklok sa gobyerno, hindi sapat yun para sa kanila. Kaya hindi nila nararamdaman na pag-umuwi sila, mabubuhay sila dito.”

(Because of the incompetence of those in power, what they provide is not enough. That’s why OFWs don’t feel that they can survive if they return home.)

She emphasized the need for better jobs and opportunities in the country so that Filipinos can remain with their families.

“Mas tumitindi rin yung paninindigan ko na ang mga OFWs ay magkaroon ng sapat at nakakabuhay na sahod at trabaho dito sa Pilipinas.”

(My conviction grows stronger that OFWs should have sufficient and livable wages and jobs here in the Philippines.)